It was interesting to hear returning Waratahs Captain Rocky Elsom speaking on Fox Sports’ The Rugby Club last Thursday night, discussing the difficulties that can arise from forced or unforced changes to the sides.
While Elsom was specifically talking about replacements for injured players, it also applies when ordinary form necessitates starting XV changes.
“It’s just about trying to build the combinations as quick as possible,” Elsom said.
The whole idea of “building the combinations” in week 12 of an 18+3 week tournament (less June Tests) seems more than a little bit strange.
“What on earth have you been building until now, then?” was the follow-up question Elsom was asked, via me to my telly.
With the Waratahs naming a team to the play the Bulls with something like seven personnel changes to the side that was towelled up in Canberra, and knowing how up-and-down the ‘Tahs backline has been in 2012, this notion of still needing to work on combinations in mid-May got me thinking.
Have the Waratahs run out the same starting backline this season?
Some hasty clicking through team sheets, followed by some copy-and-pasting into a spreadsheet over the weekend found that the answer is, surprisingly, yes.
In fact, since the first game of the year, they’ve run out the same backline the following week on five occasions.
All up, they’ve only tweaked the set-up five times as well, a lot less than I expected when I started the exercise.
It goes even further: from week five against the Sharks to week nine against the Rebels (and with a bye in the middle), the Waratahs’ backline remained untouched from 9 to 15. Of those four games, they won three of them, and one came with a four-try bonus point.
You’d like the think the combinations were starting to build themselves by now.
However, that Rebels game looks to have started the unravelling. An injury to Bernard Foley and Rob Horne’s suspension forced two personnel and two more positional changes for the Crusaders game.
And we all know that didn’t end well. Robbie Freuen had his annual Super Rugby field day – this time at Tom Carter’s expense – and though the scoreboard shows a close result, the Crusaders were never really headed.
Against the Brumbies and Bulls, Berrick Barnes has come back pretty close to top form, and played comfortably his best attacking games of the year. The most noticeable difference was that he played so much flatter than he had in previous rounds, and looked to get away from this perceived ‘kick first’ game that plenty of spectators and commentators alike assume is his natural game.
And it was great to see. I’ve long wondered if the ‘kick first’ game was actually a matter of Barnes playing on instruction. I wonder if what we’re seeing now is actually closer to Barnes’ natural game, and he certainly looks more dangerous when he looks to run first.
But against the Brumbies, the ‘Tahs backs outside of Barnes stood so deep in attack that they were practically on the athletics track next door. Despite having played at 12 to Barnes since late March, Carter played as if they’d never met before. And that then begs the question, how did they train that week? Is the Waratahs’ attack coach having trouble getting everyone’s attention in class?
Happily, the new centre pairing of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Horne did go flatter with Barnes against the Bulls, and their first try was a cracker. Ashley-Cooper ran a perfect out-in decoy line to draw in both Bulls centres, and Barnes found Horne in space and try line-bound from thirty-seven metres out.
But, like all too often when it comes to watching the Waratahs in attack, that was it. After highlighting an evident defensive frailty, the ‘Tahs didn’t run that play again all game.
It was a head-scratcher, to say the least. Barnes, Ashley-Cooper, and Horne seemed to have a decent combination between them, yet they barely spoke again for the match. Perhaps ‘Waratahs combinations’ is an oxymoron after all.
If there’s an antithesis to the continually misfiring Waratahs backline, it’s the Brumbies of the last month, and the Reds of consecutive Sunday afternoons.
Until the Wallaby-bound flyhalf went down, there’s little doubt Lealiifano-McCabe-Smith was the form Australian midfield combination. A finals drought that stretched back to 2005 looked to be coming to an end.
Similarly, Lucas-Harris-A.Fainga’a have helped right the wobbly ship that was HMAS Queensland. Fainga’a, especially, has been back for three-and-a-half minutes this season, but already he’s being spoken of in Wallaby terms again.
What both teams benefit from, however, is quality service from their scrumhalf. Nic White and Will Genia will more than likely be the guys to carry the scrumhalf duties for the Wallabies, and their respective teams are able to make the gain line so consistently in midfield because of the service they provide.
Genia, particularly, has really kicked on since being ‘Forced’ into a decision about his future.
Contrast that to the Waratahs, where another less-than-ideal game from their no.9 means they’re still not sure who their best scrumhalf is. It’s worth mulling on that for a minute: Sarel Pretorius has started five times, Brendan McKibbin has started six times, and neither has been able to make the starting jersey their own in 2012.
And when you add that variable to what’s (supposed to be) happening outside him as well, it’s well harsh that Berrick Barnes is often blamed for the Waratahs woes. On his current form, I shudder to think how the ‘Tahs would be going without him.
Every year is supposed to be the year for the Waratahs. But without any combinations in attack, the year seems as far away as ever.
Denby
Guest
Hewatt was awesome. I think it was his second year at the Tahs when he truly mastered the art of the intercept. No the fastest player going around but he had a great rugby brain and was quite and elusive runner. The brumbies will be lucky to have him for the rest of the year, if he is playing with similar form.
STU
Guest
JEZNEZ, every band has a repertoire of songs that all members can play and they choose a songlist for a certain audience-------the choosing is a skill i guess. the coachs playlist/tactics should be similarly tweaked for different opponents and dare i say the combos should be fluid with revitalised repetition in the week before game. if you agree then sack the tahs coaches responsible for this fiasco.
WQ
Guest
Fair enough LeftArmSpinner, however I do suspect there is some significant confusion amongst the Waratahs players as to just what their jobs are and how that job fits into the grand plan. I think this comes about as a result of the Coach not having the ability or the necessary backing to deliver a clear message to the players.
Banger
Guest
Well I remember Barnes playing a lot flatter and a lot more as a ball player when he was at the Reds under Phil Mooney. People seem to forget that they were a great attacking team to watch then, even if they were flaky. And not all of that was to do with Coooper
Worlds biggest
Guest
Barnes will be 10 and Beale 15. CL would have been on the bench so Lucas will likely get that spot. McCabe 12, Horne 13. Diggers and cummins on the wings.
Brett McKay
Expert
Jez, not sure if you'll see this, but these are the numbers I'm talking about: NSW Flyhalf kick/pass/run v Sharks: 5 / 47 / 11 v Chiefs (A): 5 / 43 / 6 v Force (A): 7 / 19 / 5 v Rebels: 10 / 14 / 11 v Crusaders: 4 / 21 / 9 v Brumbies (A): 5 / 51 / 18 v Bulls: 9 / 36 / 6
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Steady, John. Just as good coaches don't become bad coaches over night, nor do good players become bad players overnight. Barnes has played some great games of rugby and is a rugby player first and foremost through his school days. A few years at the broncos under Bennett would not hurt anyone.......... He has had patchy form with the Tahs and some injuries. The footballers migraine is a real worry. He seems to have overcome that with real strength. AAC was one of my favorite players since he first pulled on a wallabies jersey. But he had a poor 2011 with the Bumbies and has been a shadow of his former self. While his utility ability has worked against him, even in his pet position of 13 or 15, he has been unconvincing. Very sad really. I must say that Robbie deans saw barnes out close and personal in prior years and appointed him as vice captain. 2010, I think. I presumed that he knew what he was doing. The decision to leave the reds and join the Tahs was a sign of poor judgement as was AAC's coming to the Tahs. Doesn't say much for the player.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
I get what you re saying but the coaches are a better list. Dwyer, Kennedy, mcKenzie, hickey and now Foley. All good coaches in the own right but had little impact on the performance of the team.
Brett McKay
Expert
Fair to say we'll disagree on several fronts here John.. And correct me if I'm wrong, but arent you a Sydney Uni man? Haven't you breached some conventions with this opinion??
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
WQ, the combinations comment Is a throwaway comment designed to sound good be mean very little. Combinations are not as important everyone knowing the game plan and what they are expected to do at different times. Sounds simple and it is except that very few teams ever achieve it for long periods. Wayne Bennett is quoted as saying that teams win when everyone I'd simply doing their jobs, all the time.
John Allyne
Guest
Dear Brett Your opinion of Barnes shows the lack of rugby knowledge you have Barnes has no football brain and unless he is the star attraction will not and can not play to a pattern, Ashley Cooper was completely lost at 12 against the bulls,once again Barnes publicity company is working over time. he is the biggest dud ever to come to tars.
WQ
Guest
jeznez, I reckon your right about this, there are so many different people talking to these guys who do they take their direction from?
Brett McKay
Expert
must be just about time for the annual fan forum, too??
jeznez
Roar Guru
well it makes sense - NSW Rugby has two boards, we have an attack and a backs coach, there is a six man leadership group.....This is why the fan forum is now integral to Waratah rugby, it is many voices making their opinions heard.
Brett McKay
Expert
too many voices, Jez??
Brett McKay
Expert
EP, I think rugbystats does too in the player stats section, and I think I was only looking at the team stats. I need to make contact with RGS though, I know he/they have a wider spread on these things.. That was my observation for the Bulls game, too, that the was certainly more backline cohesion. But then it was coming from a low base. And as I mentioned, there was precious little in the last hour or so of the game..
Brett McKay
Expert
Jez, the kick percentage would've dropped, for sure, but not because there's less kicks, but rather there's more running and passing..
Elisha Pearce
Guest
Brett, use www.ruckingoodstats.com - I've emailed them about the same stat, fly half usage, and on their site it is the nominated fly-half they count for. Thats why on various threads and previews recently I've been pointing out that Barnes has significatly increased his ball in hand options. He used the ball almost twice as often as the Crusaders fly-half in that clash. He is trying his flipping best atm. Working hard, taking it on himself to create something. The ensemble play alluded to in this threat somewhere else just isn't there. That leads to him being isolated as he surges forward without support. I just can't lay the blame at his feet. In the Bulls game, there was a small glimmer of hope: from my vantage point at the ground, the backline appeared to be moving forward in concert more often. There is still a glaring lack of tackle/line breakers there, but the shifts they made for that game worked at least a bit. There was that 1 great try as the stand-out, but I was pleased to see them moving up together and in formation rather than lagging off Barnes and then the second pivot also. Foley and Mitchell coming back add a little extra pizzaz that is needed and hopefully that will get them where they need to be. The Waratahs won't be playing Hurricanes/Chiefs/Reds counter-attacking footy anytime soon, but they have a strong pack. All they need is a functional backline playing in concert to feed of the forward momentum. Rant over... :P
jeznez
Roar Guru
So the forwards are winning more ball and the kick percentage has dropped? Is that the take away Brett?
Amateur Hour
Guest
I have an awful feeling that the Tahs may not win another game this season. They have 5 games left and 2 are in SA against the Stormers (my prediction to win the comp) and an livewire Cheetahs (who only lost to the Stormers by 2 in Capetown last weekend) with a third game against the Reds at Suncorp. All write offs in my view. The remaiining games are in Sydney against the Brumbies and Hurricanes. Neither of these two teams can be considered push overs on current form. Re Barnes, as I've said previously, he's recently guided the Wallabies to two victories against Wales - one at the WC at the other at Millenium Stadium on the Sring Tour last year. He's the man for the job and the incumbent and should be given his chance. Re the Tahs, the muppet show theme song began playing in Waratahland when we let Beale go without doing WHATEVER it took to keep him. It built when the decision was made to let Ben Mowen (My Wallaby 6) go to make room for Rocky, and it hit a crescendo when he was handed the captaincy despite being unavailable for at least the first month of the season (which turned out to be two months). I personally wrote off this season when we lost both Mitchell and Turner before a shot was fired and poor old AAC was asked to cover wing...then 13.....now 12....what next.